After many years of service, the ferry Lucy Maud Montgomery has been replaced by the much larger and slightly faster MV Isle of Innisturk. The vessel was inspected in Le Havre, France, and sailed to Canada in mid-June. The $30 million cost of upgrading includes the construction of larger wharves in Souris, PEI and Cap-aux-Meules, Que., some harbour dredging to accomodate the larger vessel and $13 million for the ship itself.

The capacity of the Innisturk is 250 autos and 1500 people compared to 90 cars and 700 passengers on the L.M. Montgomery. Travel time to the Magdalens will be cut slightly from 5 to 4.5 hours.

With the privatization of Marine Atlantic's Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine runs and the replacement of the PEI service with the Confederation Bridge, the "centre of gravity" of the Crown Corporation has shifted eastward. Thus a move of the corporate headquarters from its Moncton location seems likely in the near future. Sites being considered are North Sydney, Port-aux-Basques, Corner Brook and St. John's.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has assumed responsibility for the coastal service persently operated by Marine Atlantic. The agreement was announced in Goose Bay on April 3rd. The only difference for the 1997 season is that financial support will come from the province, not Ottawa. Marine Atlantic will retain title to MV Sir Robert Bond (Lewisporte-Goose Bay) and the MV Northern Ranger (coastal freight and passenger service north to Nain) until December 15th.
When the Trans-Labrador Highway (Strait of Belle Isle to Goose Bay) is completed, it will likely replace the coastal service to southern Labrador, and the "Bond" ferry to Goose Bay.

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